Captures so well the chaos and disorder of a seventies football match and the impact on everything else around it at the time. Really like the line 'teeth lost, glasses smashed into faces'. Makes me think of the sheer pathetic stupidity of football violence back then. The dumb things people did for their 'team'.
Really like it, a very specific moment in time grimly described. Thank you.
Comment is about The Wail of Two Cities (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Not someone you hear about very often. Nice idea and may be worth extending to bring in some of his ideas of the absurd.
Like the phrase ‘transcended the seems of the world’.
Comment is about What does Ivor do? (blog)
Original item by Jed
As always, Stephen, you capture the mood of our times and inanity of what is happening. Where will it end?
Comment is about Sloviansk (14 April 2023) (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thank you Stephen.
You're spot on Keith.
What makes our impotence all the more painful and frustrating is the knowledge that our UK government's sleaze merchants are also the enemy within.
Comment is about Sloviansk (14 April 2023) (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Powerful social satire, Stephen. Love it! 😀
Comment is about Polite Society (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks so much Stephen. I wish I'd kept a few old photos to use on WOL 😂
William has flowing locks, as the poem implies. As a Botterill though, it may not last 😏
Thanks for the likes Nigel and K Lynn.
Comment is about The Dare Devil Poet (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Perfect! I feel the need to check metal archives to see if any of those names have been taken. Sure I must have at least two lps by The Snow Wolves already.
Comment is about Black Metal Band Looking For A Name (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
Stephen,
This senseless war continues with no regard for human life or property. As you rightly say they know what they are doing. They are murdering at random. I recently saw the Dictator Putin in a Cathedral celebrating Easter, proclaiming his faith in the resurrection of Christ. He lights candles and kisses icons. He is a serial killer and a hypocrite. As a fellow poet I salute you in keeping track of these atrocities. The world must be told exactly what is taking place and who is responsible for it.
Thank you indeed for this poem
Keith
Comment is about Sloviansk (14 April 2023) (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
A truly profound poem, Clare. I can appreciate the contradictory emotions and the baggage they leave. Thank you for sharing this thoughtful verse.
Comment is about Through a Child’s Eyes. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Good advice, Hélène, in a world which seems to have become so frenetic and 'over-scheduled'.
Comment is about Just Sittin' (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thank you for this funny, heartwarming poem, John. My hair is on the way out now (photo a bit out of date) and you reach a point where combovers are a waste of time.
Comment is about The Dare Devil Poet (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
I never learned to drive but this reminds me of many 2CVs I hitched rides in, in France. The only car I ever fancied owning. Either that or a Jensen Interceptor.
Comment is about The 2CV (blog)
Original item by David Cooke
Thank you friends. Your words mean so much to me. I write in loneliness as all true writers must.
A Flower Given to My Daughter
Frail the white rose and frail are
Her hands that gave
Whose soul is sere and paler
Than time's wan wave.
Rosefrail and fair -- yet frailest
A wonder wild
In gentle eyes thou veilest,
My blueveined child.
by James Joyce
Comment is about The wise man knows himself to be a fool (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Death frequently calls us to appreciate our mortality. Death is also a part of life as it is our final destination. This poem spoke of several emotions which arrive as death intrudes upon us. The illustration is exceptional.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Through a Child’s Eyes. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Thank you to K.Lynn and Stephen A., for their likes and also to Manish, Stephen G., Graham, Clare and John for their kind words. Such comments I find encouraging. I am grateful to you all.
Keith
Comment is about Poet & Writer (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
john,
don't abandon chaos as it is the hallmark of an artist. I struggle across furniture everyday in search of mislaid items. It is good for the soul
Thank you for this poem.
Keith
Comment is about Loft (blog)
Original item by John Gilbert Ellis
Oh thanks so much, Clare. I seem to remember that you're a grandparent yourself, so you will know what it's like when they start to (try and) take over 😂 and thanks for the likes Manish, Stephen A and Keith
Comment is about The Dare Devil Poet (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
A very honest and clear assessment on why you write. Really good piece and certainly resonates for me
Comment is about Poet & Writer (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
This made me laugh. 😂 I love hearing about the antics of you and your grandson - they are truly heart warming. 💕
Comment is about The Dare Devil Poet (blog)
Original item by John Botterill
Thank you Keith for your kind comment on my most recent post. I really do appreciate your continued support.
Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)
Original item by keith jeffries
I think you underestimate your skill as a writer Keith. It takes courage to expose our vulnerabilities through writing and sharing our experiences as human beings.
Thank goodness there are people like you making people feel less alone in the world. Write on brave soul, write on!
Comment is about Poet & Writer (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Interesting how the increased contact available via this 24/7
global media world that we now experience can be the
well-known "two-edged sword". On the one hand people
proclaim the right to make themselves known and heard - and
on the other people declare that they are victims of that same
facility and make allegations of ephemeral stuff that they say
hurts them and represents the equivalent of "a crime" in the
process, sending the knee-jerking modern police into action
or overloading a health service no longer fit for purpose.
I am old enough to recall when "good intent" saw the closure
of mental hospitals ( like Horton and others) that provided a
sanctuary for the mentally distraught, in favour of a well-intentioned (those awful words that precede so much disaster) official policy called "care in the community". No need to
elaborate on this folly that saw the really needy deprived
of their places of refuge - sentenced to wander the streets
and become victims - or out of control culprits as a result.
First, do no harm - even now, abandoned by sections of
the medical profession withdrawing their services in pursuit of getting extra money on their own terms alone. Another
decline in the standards adopted by today's essential
social services. First, do no harm? Surely a sick joke - no pun
intended!.
Comment is about Mental health (blog)
Original item by hugh
Jackie K
Mon 17th Apr 2023 14:18
"Cloudy days are like sacrifices".
Lovely and thought-provoking.
Comment is about The wise man knows himself to be a fool (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
I suppose many of us are prone to such idiocies at times.
A proliferation of empty-headed "celebrities" and "influencers" appears to have a disproportionate effect on society's preferences and aspirations.
Comment is about Polite Society (blog)
Original item by Stephen Gospage
Thanks Hugh, for pointing out an important subject.
I count myself fortunate having family and friends to turn to.
However, in the UK, mental health services along with the rest of the NHS have been trashed for ideological reasons.
In recent decades, highly vulnerable children have been forced to travel 100's of miles to get the treatment they need.
Comment is about Mental health (blog)
Original item by hugh
Thanks to all for the likes.
Thanks Stephen.
I'm reminded of the admiration which the British National Party had, for (Dame?) Margaret Hodge's "Dogwhistle" to the racists, (also, her former support for the South African Apartheid regime-from which she made a considerable fortune).
Hodge announced she would fight for:
“a local housing policy that privileged the legitimate sense of entitlement felt by indigenous families over the legitimate needs demonstrated by new migrants”, effectively adopting the language of the BNP, and demonstrating she had very little, if any, empathy for migrants and refugees.
The BNP said of Hodge:
'Labour MP Margaret Hodge deserves a word of compliment from the BNP for her efforts to raise the thorny issue of social housing for native Britons, an issue that has been in our manifesto for years
The BNP said on its website: 'Britain is full and there is no more room for any economic migrants, whatever language they speak, what religion they practice and what they look like.'
Comment is about Britannia in Cloaca Maxima Est-Britain's in the Sewer (blog)
Thanks for the like Stephen.
Comment is about Boiling Frogs Haiku (blog)
Words will out! All poets know this but they must want to come and cannot be forced. We all write for different reasons. I'm just happy to get things on the page. Thank you for sharing this Keith.
Comment is about Poet & Writer (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Many people appreciate your work, Keith. But I get what you say, writing is personal, one writes for oneself.
Comment is about Poet & Writer (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Thank you, John. 'A platter of dreams'. That suits me.
Comment is about The wise man knows himself to be a fool (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
I loved the metaphorical representation of a library and a book to that of person and her heart. Thank you for this.
Comment is about I Want My Forever Back. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Beautifully written Keith. I can resonate with most part of it.
Thank you for this.
Comment is about Poet & Writer (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
I'm humbly flattered, honored as well.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. It's absolutely refreshing to the mind.
Comment is about The Conscious African Poetry eBook (blog)
Original item by Elijah enenche peter
"Tall trees and dappled sunlight suit me best". I shall carry these words with me. The poem has me swimming in whirlpool of emotions and thoughts. Utterly enchanting. A great poem and thank you John.
Keith
Comment is about The wise man knows himself to be a fool (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Stunning.
Comment is about The wise man knows himself to be a fool (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
The analogy and irony a perfectly matched. A superb poem.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about I Want My Forever Back. (blog)
Original item by Clare
Thank you for your lovely comment.
Comment is about County Road 14/4/23 (blog)
Original item by Mike Bartram
Rich in imagery and well composed.
Thank you for this
Keith
Comment is about Changing Dimensions (blog)
Original item by Hélène
Thank you, bonny lad. They're a canny bunch of poets up here!
Comment is about Remembering Henry: poets gather to aid children’s cancer charity (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
So sweet! A poem that touches the heart, respectful and kind towards the elderly lady. I felt like I met her while reading the poem.
Comment is about Miss Paula's Poem (blog)
Original item by Mike McPeek
HI Keith Glad you were intrigued by my Nu Provencal. You might be interested to go to the news section on WOL where there is an interview between me and Greg Freeman on the publication of my Collected Poems.
Comment is about keith jeffries (poet profile)
Original item by keith jeffries
I read the intro-essay portions of your book and found it very interesting and insightful. I was touched and inspired both in mind and heart while reading it (perhaps particularly so because some 50 years ago when I was in my 20's, my own two feet eagerly trod the beautiful land of Africa.) I learned alot from your essay section. You weave personal experience with intellectual analysis really nicely. I will slowly read
the poetry section, little by little, contemplating the words written by the African poets. (I printed out a paper copy of the book.) Alas, don't know anything about the publishing world, but I hope some editor finds this gem and offers to run with it. Good job Elijah! Keep on writing!
Comment is about The Conscious African Poetry eBook (blog)
Original item by Elijah enenche peter
Glad you like my 'nu provencal', Clare. If you you check out the news section on Write Out Loud yoiu'll find an interview between me asnd Greg Freeman on the appearance of my Collected Poems.
Comment is about Clare (poet profile)
Original item by Clare
Loving and losing. The eternal tug o war of life!
Thank you for this tender piece Keith.
Comment is about Sincere Souls (blog)
Original item by keith jeffries
Your Only Hope
His eyes speak
I can only
The next day
Change will happen soon
His eyes speak
Can you be sure?
The next day
You can only
That it will.
Comment is about DSC_8928.jpg (photo)
Original item by Stockport WoL
To say the words ‘died and gone to heaven’ sound a little out of place but for you my friend and your lovely wife I feel it’s true. Long may you keep both feet in this one though.
A wonderful report Greg, thank you
Comment is about Remembering Henry: poets gather to aid children’s cancer charity (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thank you all for your kindness
Comment is about Just a few questions before departure (blog)
Original item by JD Russell
Manish Singh Rajput
Tue 18th Apr 2023 16:23
My grandmother used to give coconut oil head massages to all us children back then. It used to feel so soothing, like a blessing from her. And later, we all played out in the sun happily. This brought back all those memories for me. Thank you for this Hélèna.
Comment is about Hands Together (blog)
Original item by Hélène